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Beating the ODDS… in the Math MODS!

Berkshire Community College

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Math as a FOREIGN LANGUAGE• From FOREIGN to FAMILIAR…

Practice, practice, practice… as a means to eliminate the need to re-learn fundamentals at EACH study session (don’t waste your time!).

Fit it into you life... via time management, effective study habits corresponding to YOUR learning style, and eliminating the negative effects of time away from the math you need to reach your goal.

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Math as a FOREIGN LANGUAGE• From FOREIGN to FAMILIAR…

Research has shown … that within 24 hours most people forget ½ of what’s in short-term memory! To save ourselves from having to constantly relearn our math, we must transfer it to long-term memory by removing its newness through reuse.

Stay close to those who speak the language! Attend additional Math Lab classes, visit your instructor during office hours, get a math tutor, try math tutoring on-line, use your text’s MyMath Lab supplement, come to TRIO Math Drop-In, join or form a math study group, etc.

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Math as a FOREIGN LANGUAGE• From FOREIGN to FAMILIAR…

Make it your own through translation. Make it real FOR YOU! Draw pictures, use money for the example, or pretend you’re taking a shopping trip to a big sale on something you like. All this will make the material easier to understand and remember when you begin to take quizzes.

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Materials for SUCCESS

• TEXT…

Set up... includes section objectives, symbols denoting study aides, step-by-step examples with explanations for each section and corresponding margin problems and exercises at the end of the text material.

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Materials for SUCCESS• SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS…

Student’s Solution Manual... shows all ODD problems worked out with explanations (can be ordered by bookstore if not in stock).

Instructor’s Solution Manual... shows EVEN problems in the same way (attached to desks in the Math Lab).

MyMathLab is available with new texts purchased from our bookstore, but can be ordered separately for used books. This tool allows access to the publisher’s web site and offers VIDEOS, GUIDED PRACTICE, toll free TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE, and much more!

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Materials for SUCCESS• SYLLABUS…

Read it and ask questions! Understand how the course is structured and what your instructor expects from YOU.

• ABOUT TESTING…

When, where, how and why? What are your needs for testing (based on your past experiences)? If you are eligible for accommodations through Disabilities Services be sure you’ve completed your paperwork and have any another arrangements in place for testing.

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Materials for SUCCESS• COURSE and MATH LAB CALENDAR…

Plan out your workload with consideration given to the other demands in your life! Keep track of this information by using a semester calendar and stay prepared .

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Extra RESOURCES• TUTORIAL CENTER…

Offers 1 to 1 free tutoring, additional resource and reference materials, and study skills workshops.

E-Tutoring for math is available on-line. Contact the Tutorial Center at 236-1650, or email: tutor-request@berkshirecc.edu for more information.

• MATH QUEST…

Check outside the Math Lab to see what additional hours are available outside of class for help with homework.

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Extra RESOURCES• MATH DROP-IN at TRIO…

See dates and times posted EACH SEMESTERin TRIO.

• INDIVIDUAL MATH APPOINTMENTS in TRIO…

Call 236-1680 or 236-1683 for an appointment with Peggy Williams.

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• GET ORGANIZED…

Supplies… like a loose-leaf binder and LOTS of paper work best, along with pencils, erasers, and index cards!

• BEFORE CLASS AND AT HOME…

Be prepared for class. Know your text, read your syllabus, do all assigned homework, check and re-check your answers in the back of the text, and mark the problems you’ve had trouble with so you can ask for help with them in class!

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• BEFORE CLASS AND AT HOME…

Do work at home as well as in class. Set a specific time and place you’ll use and proceed slowly to be sure you understand each concept before moving forward with the work. Complete all margin problems as they are assigned in the text, then move on to complete the odd problems from each exercise set. WRITE LEGIBLY! Check your answers in the back of the text as you move along and correct those you miss.

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• DURING CLASS…

Avoid distractions.

Work quietly and be respectful of others.

Raise your hand to ASK FOR HELP.

Take notes as you read.

REVIEW text material, particularly highlighted or boxed material, and homework, BEFORE taking quizzes or module tests!

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• COURSE / MATH LAB SCHEDULE…

Consider joining OTHER CLASSES in the Math Lab (and traditional classes, with permission). The more time you spend on math the faster you’ll get through and the less you’ll forget from on day to the next! Be sure to talk with your instructor about this option.

Consider taking quizzes more often than just during your scheduled class time. Fit your next quiz or test in while it’s still fresh in your memory! Consult the schedule posted outside of the test room and let your instructor know you’d like to come back at another time. Hand in your homework, request sign off, and see if there any are other details to attend to.

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• STUDYING for QUIZZES and TESTS…

1. Try to MAKE UP YOUR OWN QUESTIONS as you go along and solve them.

2. REVIEW THE BREAKDOWN OF EACH CHAPTER by objectives and examples.

3. Follow the examples and take NOTE of ALL DEFINITIONS AND HIGHLIGHTED INFORMATION.

4. Complete any SUMMARY AND REVIEW EXERCISES, as well as CHAPTER TESTS (answers to all of these questions are at the back of the text).

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• STUDYING for QUIZZES and TESTS…

5. REQUEST and COMPLETE practice problems and tests.

6. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE TYPES OF INSTRUCTIONS given for different types of problems, etc.

7. REMEMBER: If you are well prepared and confident, your test anxiety will diminish tremendously!

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• TAKING TESTS and QUIZZES…

ALLOW ENOUGH TIME when testing or quizzing to check and recheck your work (preferably on a clean sheet of paper). Don’t RUSH! Give yourself AT LEAST 45 MINUTES FOR A QUIZ and 1 ½ HOURS FOR A MODULE TEST.

Answer what’s asked. Often problems have two steps. Be sure you understand EACH SET of instructions.

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BEHAVIORS for SUCCESS• TAKING TESTS and QUIZZES…

CIRCLE difficult problems and return to them later for further review.

If you work out the problems on SCRAP PAPER, number your problems so the test desk instructor can follow the steps you took to get your answer.

WRITE NEATLY AND CIRCLE YOUR ANSWERS on the answer sheet.

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Tips for when you REALLY GET STUCK• Remember, EVERYONE experiences

frustration with math at some point…

• Allow yourself enough time with your math so that you don’t feel pressured. Take breaks and reward yourself for completed tasks!

• Talk to classmates and friends to see if they are also confused or might help you by explaining a concept. – Talking about it will help either way!

• Study in a controlled environment to maximize your concentration…

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Tips for when you REALLY GET STUCK• If the material is tough, back up and review, and

move ahead SLOWLY! Confidence and momentum build with each small success…

• Take advantage of ALL available resources. Help is nearby and YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

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Tips for when you REALLY GET STUCK• If your anxiety continues to build despite these

efforts, SEEK ADDITIONAL HELP. Reading a book about math anxiety may be helpful, or perhaps a referral for personal counseling through the Office for Student Development would be appropriate. Some may need an appointment with the Disabilities Services office here on campus.

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Parting Thoughts• Learn from your experience with testing to

better prepare yourself for final exams and the semesters to come

• “When the day is over and you’ve done your best… wait the results in peace”…

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Berkshire Community CollegeTRIO Workshop Beating the ODDS… in the MATH MODS!QUIZ

Why is math like a foreign language?  

List two supplements to the text used in the Math lab and describe how they might be helpful to you.   

List two (non-TRIO) resources available to assist you with your math.      

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Beating the ODDS… in the MATH MODS!QUIZ

What resources are available in TRIO to help you with your Math Mods? Which have you used?   How does a student find out at what times she or he can take a quiz or module test?  What types of supplies are students encouraged to use for their math lab work?   What does your instructor assign for homework? Why?   

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Beating the ODDS… in the MATH MODS!QUIZ

How much time is recommended to take a quiz? How about a Module Test?    What help is available to students if they experience trouble with test anxiety?   How much are students charged for 1 to 1 tutoring in the Tutorial Center? Do you think students are charged for this service in TRIO?  

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ReferencesArem, Cynthia. Conquering Math Anxiety. Pacific

Grove, California: Brooks / Cole Publishing Company, 1993.

Bittinger, Marvin L. Introductory Algebra. Reading, Massachusetts: Addison-Wesley, 2006.

Pellish, Jane, Helen Denat and Sandra Kecham. Study Strategies for Mathematics. Pittsfield, Massachusetts: Berkshire Community College, 2002.